Dolphins general manager Chris Grier, in charge of his first coaching search, sought someone with similar beliefs of how to build a contender.

He decided on Flores, the 37-year-old Patriots de facto defensive coordinator who started his career the same way as Grier — as a New England scout. That Patriots connection likely played a significant role as the Dolphins seek a way to dethrone their longtime rival.

“To be a head coach in this league is a dream come true, to be head coach of the Miami Dolphins is a dream come true. This is a great organization with a great history, with a great fan base and I’m excited to be here.”

“Two things that stand out immediately when you meet Brian are his football intelligence and leadership skills,” Grier said in a statement. “Brian is widely respected throughout the NFL. He paid his dues in New England working in personnel, on offense, defense and special teams, which helped him build a great understanding of what it takes to win.

“If you talk with anyone who has played for him or worked with him, you will hear about his ability to lead and get the most out of people. Brian sets a high standard for his players and coaches and we are completely aligned with our vision on how to build a successful organization.”

Flores is also the first full-time minority coach in franchise history and one of four minority coaches currently in the NFL. He will replace Adam Gase, who was fired on Dec. 31. The New York Jets hired Gase as head coach 12 days later.

Flores takes over a team that seems headed for somewhat of a rebuild, as owner Stephen Ross alluded to after firing Gase.

“We’re going to look to really build this organization based on our needs and if it takes a year or so — two years, three years — we are going to be there.” Ross said.

That means Flores is expected to get the time needed to overhaul the Dolphins’ roster and culture to build a true contender. That will start with a decision at quarterback, as Ryan Tannehill‘s future is in peril.

Eight teams have made their official head coach hires for 2019. Here’s what you need to know on each.

Flores has coached offense, defense and special teams, along with a stint as a scout in New England. He had spent his entire coaching career — since 2004 — with the Patriots. He will have to defy the lack of success that has followed many Bill Belichick assistants when they leave for another head job.

Flores is the Dolphins’ 10th head coach (including interims) since 2004, and he will have to do what none of the others could — lead the Dolphins out of mediocrity. Miami finished between 6-10 and 10-6 in each of the past 10 seasons, the only team in the NFL to do that. It went 7-9 in 2018, losing its last three games by an aggregate score of 100-41.

This is the Dolphins’ first full-time, defensive-minded head coach hire since Nick Saban in 2005. Flores, a linebacker coach whose role got elevated to playcaller when Matt Patricia left to take the Detroit Lions head coach job in 2018, will have some young core defensive players to build around, like budding star cornerback Xavien Howard, versatile defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick and promising playmaking linebacker Jerome Baker. Safety Reshad Jones and Kiko Alonso are also strong established veterans to help the transition.

The Dolphins allowed 6,257 yards this past season, 29th in the NFL and the most in franchise history. The offense, which finished 31st, wasn’t any better.

Ross signaled Miami will lean on young players going forward rather than adding a bunch of older veterans.

The Dolphins also interviewed Cowboys defensive playcaller Kris Richard, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and their own special teams coordinator, Darren Rizzi, for the head job. Ultimately, they decided Flores was the right man.

Flores is coming off maybe his best performance as a coach. He helped devise a scheme and called the plays for a Patriots defense that held Sean McVay’s Rams to just three points in Super Bowl LIII, tied for fewest in Super Bowl history, and 260 total yards. To use McVay’s own words, he was “outcoached” by Flores, Belichick and the Patriots defense.

After the Patriots’ win Sunday, Belichick credited Flores with making the blitz call that ended in a Jared Goff interception late in the fourth quarter. Goff said the Patriots defense had them “completely guessing.”

Less than 24 hours later, Flores is now running his own show as Miami’s coach.